Container closure device



Jan. 17, 1956 K. RUETz 2,731,177

CONTAINER CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Feb. 19, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR-- KARL. HUET?.

Jan. 17, 1956 K. RuETz CONTAINER cLosURE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Will/[lill Filed Feb. 19. 1952 INVENTQR: KARL RUETL United States Patent O CONTAINER CLOSURE DEVICE Karl Ruetz, Zurich, Switzerland Application February 19, 1952, Serial No. 272,42d

Claims priority, application Switzerland March 2, 1951 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-505) Especially in storing highly volatile liquids and easily drying pastes such as occur, for example, in the perfume industry and pharmaceutical industry, the aim of the manufacturers of container closure devices is to attain as high a closure tightness as possible.

My present invention relates to improvements in a container closure device, comprising a sliding element adapted to slide in two guiding grooves disposed laterally on the container head and a closing element which carries the packing material.

The high tightness of the closure device disclosed here in is attributable to the following features. On said closing element are provided at least one pressure area both in front and to the rear of the container-orifice central axis, and said element projects forwardly in a manner of a roof thereby depressing the closing element in the closed position of the device on to the orifice ridge at said front pressure area. Furthermore, at least one shoulder or molding is provided on the underside of said sliding element for the purpose of depressing the closing element in the closed position of the device on to the orifice ridge at said rear pressure area. Such closing pressure, being applied to at least two pressure areas, ensures a positive tight tit of the closing element.

When, owing to prolonged storage, the packing material shows signs of fatigue and thus of leakiness, an automatic adjustment of said material would be desirable, since the same has lost part of its initial elasticity. For such purpose, a resilient element could be provided on the closing element, the former in the closed position of the device depressing the latter on to the orifice ridge under a pressure which is additional to that provided at said pressure areas.

When the closing element is made of a resilient material, the said resilient element could be formed as an h arm punched from and integral with the closing element. Further features of my present invention may be taken from the following specific description of one form thereof. y In the drawings: v

Fig. 1 shows a vertical section of the closure device in closed position,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof,

Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the device in open position, and

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line IV-IV of Fig. l.

A sliding element 1, made for example of plastic, has a rooflike projection 1a and two shoulders or moldings 1b disposed in the sliding direction and rounded-off at their forward ends 1e. Between said moldings is formed a groove 1c (Fig. 4) in which is provided a catch or notch 1d. The sliding element 1 is guided in longitudinal rabbets 2 provided ,on the container head 3. Theforward portion of a closing element 4 is in theform of a pocket to receive packing material 5.' The closing element 4 is rearwardly extended, and an arm 4a punched therefrom is engaged in the groove lc of the sliding ele- ICC ment and, abutting against the underside of the sliding element 1, depresses the closing element 4. The arm 4a on its free end has a bend 4b shaped to t the groove 1d in the sliding element.

The closing element 4 is bulged in front at 4c. Such bulge forms a rst pressure area D1 situated in front of the central axis IV-IV of the container orifice 6. A pair of second pressure areas Dz are situated in the rear portion of the pocket for the packing material 5 to the rear of said axis. In the closed position of the device, the rooflike projection 1a of the sliding element is disposed above the pressure area D1, and the ends of the moldings 1b of said element are disposed above the pressure areas D2. The pocket for the packing material 5 is rounded-off in its rear portion 4d.

On the container head 3 are disposed an annular ridge 7 about the orice 6, a ramp 8 and a ridge 9 which in the open position of the device serves as stop for the closing element 4.

When assembling the closure device, the closing element 4 with the aid of an assembling means is depressed on to the ridge 7 of orice 6. While the assembly pressure is maintained, the sliding element 1 is moved tightly over the closing element 4 so that in the closed position of the device there exists a sealing pressure at the three pressure areas D1 and D2..

. The closure device described is opened as follows. First the sliding element 1 is pulled rearwardly, whereby the bend 4b of arm 4a is disengaged from catch 1d and the pressure areas D1 and D2 are relieved. When the arm` 4a at the end of groove 1c abuts against the sliding element 1, the closing element 4 is taken along during further movement. The packing material S slides over the exterior cone face of the annular ridge 7 and thereby is raised o the orifice 6. The rear edge of the pocket for the packing material then arrives on the ramp 8 whereby the closing element 4 is raised clear olf the annular ridge 7. On account of liquid adhesion there has to be a certain free space a (Fig. 3) between the closing element and the container head 3 in the open position of the closure device. The stop 9 limits the path of the closing and sliding elements in the open position of the device.

When closing the device, the moldings 1b push the closing element before them, and the latter descends on the ramp 8. The moldings 1b finally engage the pocket for the packing material 5 and depress the same against the annular ridge 7. The sliding-element portion 1a then overlaps the bulge 4c of the closing element, while the bend 4b arrives in the notch 1d and the rearward portion of the closing element 4 abuts against the rear wall of the sliding element which now is blocked and cannot be pushed forwardly any further.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Closure apparatus comprising, in combination, a container having a top portion formed with an opening located about a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the container is adapted to ow; closure means mounted on said top portion of said container for movement between a closed position over said opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material engaging said top portion of said container about said opening thereof when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and said closure means having a projection extending away from said container and located on one side of said axis when said closure means is in said closed position thereof; and operating means slidably mounted on said top portionof said container and being operatively connectedto said closure means for moving the latter between said closed and open positions thereof, said operating means having an end portion engaging and pressing against said projection of said closure means to press the latter against said'container at said one side of said'axis of said opening, and said operating means having a pair of spaced additional projections extending toward said container and respectively engaging and pressing against said closure means on the opposite side of said axis from said first mentioned projection to press said closure means against saidcontainer at a pair of spaced areas on said opposite side of said axis.

2. Closure apparatus comprising, in combination,V a container having a top portion formed with an opening located about a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the container is adapted to ow; closure means mounted on said top portion of said container for movement between a closed position over said opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material engaging said top portion of said container about said opening thereof when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and said closure means having a projection extending away from said container and located on one side of said axis when said closure means is in said closed position thereof; and operating means slidably mounted on said top portion of said container and being operatively 'i connected to said closure means for moving the latter between s aid closed and open positions thereof, said operating means having an end portion engaging and pressing against said projection of said closure means to press the latter against said container at said one side of said axis of said opening, and said operating means having a pair of spaced additional projections extending toward said container and respectively engaging and pressing against said closure means on the opposite side of said axis from said. rst mentioned projection to press said closure means against said containerat a pair of spaced areas on said opposite side of said axis, said pair of additional projections, in the closed position of said closure means, being respectively located on opposite sides of the straight line normal to said axis and passing through the latter and said rst mentioned projection.

3. Closure apparatus comprising, in combination, a container having a top portion formed with an opening locatedabout a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the container is adapted to flow; closure means mounted on said top portion of said container for movment between a closed position over said opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material engaging said top portion of said container about said opening thereof when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and said closure means having a projection extending away from said container and located on one side of said axis when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and

saidclosure means having a smoothly curved top surface portionrextending toward` said container and being located on the oppositey side of, said axis when saidV closure means is in said. vclosed position thereof; and operating means slidably mounted on said top portion of said container and being operatively connected, to said closure means for moving the latter between said closed and open positions thereof, said operating means having an end portion engaging and pressingv against said projection of said closure means to press the latter against said container at, said one side of said axis of said opening and said operating means having` a pair of spaced additional projections extending toward said container and respectively engaging and pressing against that part of said top surface. portion of said closure means located most distant from said container to press said closure means against said` container at a pair of spaced areas o n said opposite Side ofsaid axiSs.aid pair of additional projections, in the closed position of said closure means, being respectively located onv opposite sides of the; straight. line normal to,

said axis and passing through the latter and said first mentioned projection.

4.' Closure apparatus comprising, in combination, a container having a top portion formed with an opening located about a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the container is adapted to ow', closure means mounted on said top portion of said container for movement between a closed position over said opening andan open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material engaging said top portion of said container about said opening thereof when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and said closure means having a projection extending away from said container and located on one side of said axis when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and said closurel means having a smoothly curved top surface portion extending toward said container and being located on the opposite side of said axis when said closure means is in said closed position thereof; and operating means slidablyl mountedon said top portion. of said container and being operatively connected to said closure means for moving thelatter between said closed and open positions thereof, said operating means having an end portion engaging and pressing against said projection of said closure means` to press the latter against said container at said one side of said axis of said opening, and said operating means having a pair of spaced. additional projections extending toward said container and respectively engaging and. pressing against that part of said top surface portion of said closure means located most distant from said container to press said closure means against said container at a pair of spaced areas on said opposite side of said axis, said pair of additional projections, in the closed position of said closure means, being respectively located on opposite sides of the straight line normal tosaid axis and passingy through the latter and said first mentioned projection, and each of said pair of additional projections being smoothly curved at the portions Vthereof engaging said top surface portion of said closure means when. the latter is in said closed position thereof.

5. Closure apparatus comprising, in combination, a container having a top portion formed with an opening located about a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the container is adapted to flow; closure means mounted on said top portion of said container for movement between a closed position over said opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material engaging said top portion of said container about said opening thereof when said closure means is in said closed position thereof', and said closure means having a projection extendingl away from said container and located on one side of said axis when said closure means is in said closed position thereof, and said closure means having a smoothly curved top surface portion extending toward said container and. being `located on the opposite sidel of said axis; when said closure means is in said closed position thereof; and op. erating means slidably mounted on said topl portion of said container and being operatively connected to said closure means for moving the latter between said closed and open positions thereof and for movement with. respect to said closuremeans when the latter is located at said closed position thereof, said operating means. having an end portion engaging and pressing against said' projection of said closure means to press the latter against said container at saidone side of said axis of said opening. and said operating means having a pair of spaced additional projections extending toward said container and respectively engaging and pressing against that part of said top surface portion of said closure means, means located most distant from said container to press said closure means against said container at a pair of spaced-V areas, on said opposite` sideV of said axis, said pair of additional projections, in the closed position. of said closure means, being respectively located on opposite sides of the straight line normal to said axis and passing through the latter and said rst mentioned projection, and each of said pair of additional projections being smoothly curved at the portions thereof engaging said top surface portion of said closure means when the latter is in said closed position thereof, so that said operating means smoothly engages said top surface portion of said closure means during movement of said operating means with respect to said closure means.

6. In combination with a container having a top portion formed with an opening through which the contents of the container is adapted to flow, closure apparatus comprising, in combination, closure means mounted on the top portion of the container for movement between a closed position over the container opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material at one side of said closure means engaging the top portion of the container about the opening thereof when the closure means is in its closed position, and said closure means having at an opposite side thereof only three mutually spaced pressure areas distributed about the opening of the container in the closed position of said closure means with two of said areas respectively located on opposite sides of said opening; and operating means slidably mounted on the top portion of the container for movement between inoperative and operative positions and being operatively connected to said closure means for moving the latter from said open to said closed position thereof when said operating means moves from said inoperative to said operative position thereof and vice-versa, said operating means having an engaging means with only three engaging portions respectively movable along three paths intersecting said three pressure areas of said closure means, respectively, when said operating means moves from said inoperative to said operative position thereof and engaging said pressure areas, respectively, when said operating means is in said operative position thereof and said closure means is in said closed position thereof to press said sealing material against said top portion of said container about all parts of said opening.

7. In combination with a container having a top portion formed with an opening located about a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the container is adapted to flow, closure apparatus comprising, in combination, closure means mounted on the top portion of the container for movement between a closed position over the container opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material at one side of said closure means engaging the top portion of the container about the opening thereof when the closure means is in its closed position, and said closure means having at an opposite side thereof only three mutually spaced pressure areas distributed about the opening of the container in the closed position of said closure means with two of said areas located on one side of said axis and with the third of said areas located on an opposite side of said axis; and operating means slidably mounted on the top portion of the container for movement between inoperative and operative positions and being operatively connected to said closure means for moving the latter from said open to said closed position thereof when said operating means moves from said inoperative to said operative position thereof and vice-versa, said operating means having an engaging means with only three engaging portions respectively movable along three paths intersecting said three pressure areas of said closure means, respectively, when said operating means moves from said inoperative to said operative position thereof and engaging said pressure areas, respectively, when said operating means is in said operative position thereof and said closure means is in said closed position thereof to press said sealing material against said top portion of said container about all parts of said opening.

8. In combination with a container having a top portion formed with an opening located about a predetermined axis and through which the contents of the con` tainer is adapted to ilow, closure apparatus comprising, in combination, closure means mounted on the top portion of the container for movement between a closed position over the container opening and an open position away from said opening, said closure means including a sealing material at one side of said closure means engaging the top portion of the container about the opening thereof when the closure means is in its closed position, and said closure means having at an opposite side thereof only three mutually spaced pressure areas distributed about the opening of the container in the closed position of said closure means with two of said areas located on one side of said axis and with the third of said areas located on an opposite side of said axis, said two areas being respectively located on opposite sides of a straight line normal to said axis and passing through said third area; and operating means slidably mounted on the top portion of the container for movement between inoperativel and operative positions and being operatively connected to said closure means for moving the latter from said open to said closed position thereof when said operating means moves from said inoperative to said operative position thereof and vice-versa, said operating means having an engaging means with only three engaging portions respectively movable along three paths intersecting said three pressure areas of said closure means, respectively, when said operating means moves from said inoperative to said operative position thereof and engaging said pressure areas, respectively, when said operating means is in said operative position thereof and said closure means is in said closed position thereof to press said sealing material against said top portion of said con- `tainer about all parts of said opening.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,141,352 Forsberg et al Dec. 27, 1938 2,595,000 Ruetz Apr. 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 814,825 France Mar. 30, 1937 103,088 Australia Ian. 25, 1938 

